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wild. -book review of a different kind, by (me!) Sandra, tvgp

We spend the first part of our lives figuring out our default systems: we learn via experience, this type of movie (or book or situation or whatever) makes me cry; this type makes me laugh, this type makes me scared, this type makes me horny, this type makes me bored.. On and on, etc. Etc.   -and then once you understand/know what stimuli = what result...  Then you get to CHOOSE! 

Want to laugh?  Want to cry?  Feel like being scared and hypervigilant for several hours or days?   For actual life.. We cant always choose... But for books and movies and various forms of voluntary entertainment we certainly can..

And the older and wiser you get..  The more selective you become about just how exactly you want to invest your irretrievable precious time -based on the result.

And all of that is just so i can say how glad i am; elated, really, that i didnt know a single thing about this book, wild, except that it was good.

Testimony was provided by more than one guest when i worked at the marriott..  I always paid attention to what book was in whose hand..  And i saw more than one copy of wild float by the front desk..

I made a mental note to check it out for myself, but then forgot.. Changed jobs..  Moved..  Shift here, settle in there..

And if not for my sage friend catherine just reading it and passing it on to me..   Probably i would have never remembered on my own..

And! Had she mentioned i would cry..   I most definitely would have passed. I mean..  I cry sometimes because life demands it..  But its not my favorite state of mind, and why volunteer my otherwise happy hours to voluntary crying? 

So my book review is as follows:  you will cry. And her memoir is worth it.  Pay whatever the book costs.. Invest also in a box of tissue, plant yourself somewhere..  Anywhere..  And read.

It is not a sob story for the duration.. Just in very valid, very necessary parts

It is as well organized as eat, love, pray..   Not anything like it.. I compare it only for how well organized, because real life is so messy; this skill fascinates me to no end

And the two authors.. Cheryl strayed and elizabeth gilbert -they both take you on two simultaneous journeys: one physical; real world, and the other spiritual; super natural..

Here are a couple other things you'll need to pack before you start reading, in addition to tissue..

Toenail clippers.  I noticed after several chapters i randomly went upstairs to the bathroom and just..  I just had the sudden unstoppable urge to trim my toenails.  - and then..  I called a local salon and scheduled a pedicure.

I also set the book down one time.. And just out of nowhere.. I decided to take a long hot shower..  I shampooed my hair twice.. And shaved everywhere else three times..

You will also want to have a variety of beverages nearby..  This story will make you very thirsty

For more!   -more, more, more...

I cant remember how long its been since i held a memoir this  good.  But it is worthy to live on the same shelf with the greats:  Dr Maya Angelou, elizabeth gilbert, jeanette walls, anne lamott,...

"You are awesome! Cheryl Strayed!".   -congratulations!

posted by SHE @ 3:23 PM